Ready PA Monthly - September 2023

Older Adult sitting with adult filling out emergency plan. Links to PA Blog Post.

Are you Ready PA? September is National Preparedness Month & also Senior Center Month.

Ready for All
Of course, being ready for disasters is important every month. National Preparedness Month is important because it gives us an entire month to focus Pennsylvanians on being prepared. The National Preparedness Month theme this year is, “Take Control in 1, 2, 3.”

In the past summer alone, we’ve seen news reports from all over the US about wildfires, flooding, and heat waves, to name a few disasters. And we’ve had a number of major floods and events affecting thousands of people in Pennsylvania just in the last two months. When we hear about disasters and emergencies that happened “somewhere else,” we tend to think that they affect other people and not us. But what if it did happen in your community? All of us, and those we love, can be affected by a disaster.

Especially for Older Adults
Did you know that there are 3.5 million people in Pennsylvania who are age 65 or over? And our fastest growing population in Pennsylvania is those who are age 85 or over.

Click the link below to read more...

Getting Started!

September is National Preparedness Month, which means it's the perfect time to start thinking about how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in case of emergencies. Whether it's a natural disaster, a power outage, or a medical emergency, being prepared can make all the difference.

You have probably heard before, one of the first steps to being prepared is to have a plan. Preparedness plan, disaster plan, emergency plan, readiness plan — whatever you call it — the purpose of a plan is to know what you will do, where you will go, and what you will need for a disaster before it ever happens.

But where do you start? How about the basics.

Imagine there is an emergency, like a fire in your home. You need to leave quickly. What are the best escape routes from your home? Find at least two ways out of each room. Now, write it down — you’ve just started your plan.

While we’re thinking about home fire safety, learn more about creating your home fire escape plan. Also, here’s what you need to know about smoke alarms to keep your household safe.

First aid kit with Home, Go, and Car Kit. Links to Ready PA Emergency Kit Tip Sheet..

Getting There!

Building a kit may seem overwhelming. How do you start? And how do you know what to include? You may already have the start of a kit and don’t even know it. For example, you may have flashlights and batteries or an extra blanket and water in your car.

Building a kit is similar to developing a plan. It involves figuring out what you would need and making sure it’s where you need it, when you need it. Having emergency supplies at home, in your car and if you need to leave your home quickly.

Think about a basic emergency kit to keep at home. It should include enough supplies to support your loved ones living in your home for at least three days.

Start building your emergency kit today by visiting here. You may already have some of these items already.

The Big Finish!

Are you prepared for emergencies but unsure if your phone is? You can set up your cellphone to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), a public safety system that sends geographically targeted text-like messages to compatible mobile devices, alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area.

Imagine this: you're driving down the highway, enjoying the scenery, and listening to your favorite podcast. Suddenly, your phone makes a loud, jarring noise that startles you. You look at your phone and see a WEA informing you of a severe thunderstorm warning in your area. Thanks to the warning, you're able to slow down and adjust your driving to avoid any potential hazards on the road. Having your WEA set up can make all the difference in staying safe while on the road.

Read the Ready PA WEA alert fact sheet to learn more about the different types of alerts sent through WEA and check to see if your phone is ready to receive them.

Another reliable way to stay informed is by signing up for Alert PA. Alert PA allows you to sign up for emergency and weather-related alerts, health notifications, building alerts, and other updates from commonwealth and federal agencies.

Visit your county emergency management website and check if they offer alerts, as well. Many offer alerts that will be specific to your community.

Watch vs Warning. Taco Watch: We have the ingredients. Tacos are Possible. Taco Warning: We've got tacos, NOW! Links to National Weather Service safety tips.

Just When You Thought You Were Done!

Do you know the difference between a watch and a warning?

A watch is when conditions are ripe for hazardous weather. Think about having all the ingredients you need for tacos, but they’re all sitting in their own bowls…you don’t have a taco yet, but you’re so close! The NWS will issue a watch to provide enough time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible.

A warning is issued when hazardous weather is occurring, imminent, or likely. Back to the tacos. You have a shell filled with all your favorite toppings in your hand, on your way to your mouth. Deliciousness is imminent! Just like the taco reference, a warning means hazardous weather conditions are imminent, which can pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action.

Visit the National Weather Service to learn more safety tips here.

SEPTEMBER TIP SHEET: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR OLDER ADULTS

SEPTEMBER SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT

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